American College of Lifestyle Medicine

What American College of Lifestyle Medicine does

The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional association founded in 2004 and headquartered in Chesterfield, Missouri. It is the only interprofessional non-profit dedicated to advancing lifestyle medicine — an evidence-based medical specialty that uses therapeutic interventions across six pillars (nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, connectedness, risky substance avoidance) to treat, reverse, and prevent chronic disease. ACLM certifies health professionals and partners with the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine (ABLM) to certify physicians, having produced more than 8,000 certified clinicians worldwide since 2017 and growing membership from 500 in 2014 to over 7,000 by 2022.

The organization's product portfolio spans certification pathways (Foundations 30-hour Board Review Course at $899, certification bundles ranging $1,201.50–$3,347, question banks with 200 practice items), a course catalog covering diabetes remission, obesity management, culinary medicine, and food as medicine, plus supporting infrastructure including the LM2026 annual conference, ACLM Connect community platform, and the Lifestyle Medicine Certified Clinicians Directory powered by Proactively. Free and premium clinical toolkits (e.g., Obesity Medication Management Toolkit at $49 for non-members), the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, and a digital documentary series 'The Blueprint' launching April 2027 round out the ecosystem. Distribution is primarily digital via learning.lifestylemedicine.org, supplemented by in-person conference and institutional training.

ACLM operates a hybrid revenue model combining recurring membership dues, one-time certification and course fees, conference registration, institutional training contracts through the Health Systems Council (40+ health system members including Mayo Clinic, Humana, HCA, Ascension, Trinity), and toolkit/resource sales. The National Training Initiative (50% scholarships for FQHC/CHC clinicians, 180 FQHCs across 40 states since 2024) and HEAL Initiative for underrepresented clinicians extend reach into underserved populations. Go-to-market is community-led, driven by clinician referrals, academic partnerships (Harvard, UCLA), military health system integration (VA Whole Health, DoD Defense Health Agency, Air Force Medical Service), and strategic co-development partnerships with organizations including Blue Zones, NACHC, AMA, and AOA.

Name

American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Legal name

American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Website

https://lifestylemedicine.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Professional Education and Certification

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAGANAJ

Healthcare & Clinical Professional Development (CME/CE)

Education/Educational Publishing & Learning Content/Professional Development & Training Materials

SECONDARYEDAAALAC

Healthcare Clinical Professions (CME/CE for Nurses, Allied Health, Pharmacy)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Professional Licensure & Continuing Professional Education (CE/CPE)

SECONDARYEDAGABAG

Medicine & Allied Health (Clinical)

Education/Educational Publishing & Learning Content/Higher Education Textbooks & Courseware

SECONDARYEDAAAHAG

Health Coaching & Lifestyle Coaching Education

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Health, Wellness & Lifestyle Education (Nutrition, Fitness, Mindfulness)

Keywords

• Lifestyle medicine certification
• Medical professional education
• Chronic disease prevention
• Board review courses
• Healthcare workforce training

Headquarters

HQ city

Chesterfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees provide access to resources, community, education discounts, and certification benefits. Member pricing on courses is significantly lower than non-member rates.
2. Education and Certification: Revenue from certification exam fees ($1,299-$1,499 for physicians), course enrollments (Foundations course $899), question banks, and CME/CE offerings. ACLM certifies health professionals while ABLM certifies physicians.
3. Annual Conference: LM2026 conference in Orlando, Florida with in-person and online options generating registration fees
4. Institutional Partnerships: Partnerships with health systems, hospitals, health plans, and academic institutions for training programs and curriculum integration
5. Toolkits and Resources: Sale of clinical toolkits such as the Obesity Medication Management Toolkit ($49 for non-members, free for members)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ACLM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional association that delivers lifestyle medicine certification, education, and clinical resources to healthcare professionals. Its core offerings include board certification pathways (ABLM for physicians and ACLM for health professionals), a catalog of CME/CE-accredited online courses, the annual LM conference, a residency curriculum, culinary and food-as-medicine programs, clinical toolkits, and community platforms. The organization operates the ACLM Learning Center for self-paced courses, ACLM Connect for member community, and the Lifestyle Medicine Certified Clinicians Directory for patient referrals.

Product overview

The American College of Lifestyle Medicine offers a comprehensive platform of education, certification, and practice resources for healthcare professionals. The core offerings include board certification pathways for physicians (ABLM) and health professionals (ACLM), paired with foundational coursework such as the 30-hour Foundations of Lifestyle Medicine Board Review Course and the Blue Zones Certification Course developed in partnership with Blue Zones. The organization provides a full course catalog covering food as medicine, diabetes remission, obesity management, and culinary medicine, along with the Lifestyle Medicine Question Bank for exam preparation. Supporting infrastructure includes the LM2026 Annual Conference, ACLM Connect community platform, the Lifestyle Medicine Certified Clinicians Directory powered by Proactively, the Health Systems Council for organizational members, and the Lifestyle Medicine Residency Curriculum. Scholarship programs including HEAL Initiative and National Training Initiative support clinicians in underserved communities. Free and premium patient resources, clinical toolkits, and peer-reviewed publications including the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine round out the ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lifestyle Medicine Board Certification for Physicians ABLM-administered board certification that signifies specialized knowledge in lifestyle medicine practice and distinguishes physicians as having achieved competency in treating, reversing, and preventing chronic disease.
• Lifestyle Medicine Board Certification for Health Professionals ACLM-administered certification that signifies mastery and competency in using lifestyle interventions to treat, reverse, and prevent chronic disease, available to non-physician health professionals.
• Foundations of Lifestyle Medicine Board Review Course A 30-hour CME/CE/MOC course building the foundation for lifestyle medicine certification exam, including a 350-page manual, 10 sections, 12 online review lectures by experts, and 180 review questions.
• Remission of Type 2 Diabetes and Reversal of Insulin Resistance with Lifestyle Medicine Course A 12.5 CME/CE/MOC course focused on using intensive lifestyle medicine therapies to put type 2 diabetes into remission and reverse insulin resistance.
• Blue Zones Certification Course A certification course developed in partnership between ACLM and Blue Zones, combining Blue Zones' longevity research with ACLM's therapeutic lifestyle medicine expertise for physicians and health professionals.
• Lifestyle Medicine Fundamentals: Framework for Success A 7.5-hour CE/MOC course designed to help clinicians understand the science behind lifestyle medicine and build clinical confidence.
• Food as Medicine Course Series Evidence-based courses including Food as Medicine for Type 2 Diabetes Remission (3 CME/CE), Food as Medicine for Preconception/Pregnancy/Postpartum, Food as Medicine for Cancer Risk Reduction (2 CME/CE), and Nutrition for Prevention and Longevity.
• Lifestyle Medicine Question Bank A compilation of 200 practice questions designed to help clinicians prepare for the lifestyle medicine certification exam, complete with explanations and supporting references.
• LM2026 Annual Conference ACLM's annual four-day lifestyle medicine conference featuring keynote sessions, evidence-based clinical strategies, networking, research presentations, and CME offerings.
• Lifestyle Medicine Residency Curriculum A comprehensive curriculum preparing medical residents to make evidence-based lifestyle behavior interventions and become certified in lifestyle medicine upon residency completion.
• Culinary Medicine Program Free curriculum with videos and manual providing healthcare professionals with foundational knowledge in culinary medicine, including healthy diet guidance and food preparation techniques.
• Health Systems Council An assembly of 40+ health systems actively integrating therapeutic lifestyle medicine into patient care, employee health, and broader communities. Serves as ACLM's organizational membership offering for institutions.
• Lifestyle Medicine Certified Clinicians Directory A directory powered by Proactively allowing diplomates to create SEO-optimized microsite profiles showcasing their expertise and care approach, with features for appointment booking, referrals, and patient discovery.
• ACLM Connect Community Online community platform for ACLM members to access peer-support networks, clinical integration tools, implementation roadmaps, member interest groups, and resources.
• Obesity Management Clinical Toolkit Clinical toolkit and patient handouts helping clinicians navigate obesity medications grounded in six pillars of lifestyle medicine. Includes patient decision guides and condition-specific handouts. Priced at $49 for non-members and free for ACLM members.
• ACLM Individual Membership Annual membership providing access to ACLM Connect community, course discounts, certification resources, member pricing on products, and the Lifestyle Medicine Certified Clinicians Directory.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 8,000 clinicians certified since 2017
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Content with PurposecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 July 2026Digital content partnership to create 'The Blueprint: Scaling the New Standard of Care' documentary series launching April 2027. Series documents lifestyle medicine transformation across healthcare systems through cinematic storytelling and expert interviews.
• Mayo CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor health system partner integrating lifestyle medicine into clinical practice, education, and research. Mayo Clinic physicians serve as faculty and advocates for lifestyle medicine as fundamental to integrated care delivery.
• HumanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth plan partnership providing accessible lifestyle medicine training for Humana and Centerwell employed healthcare professionals and network clinicians. Includes commitment to evidence-based lifestyle change training for chronic disease treatment.
• One MedicalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary care organization integrating lifestyle medicine into patient care delivery model.
• Harvard Medical SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership through Harvard Medical School for education and research collaboration in lifestyle medicine.
• UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for lifestyle medicine education and research integration.
• HCA HealthcarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLarge hospital system partner collaborating to advance lifestyle medicine practice and awareness.
• AscensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based health system partner working to integrate lifestyle medicine across care settings.
• Trinity HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLarge Catholic health system partner advancing lifestyle medicine integration.
• Blue ZonescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to combine Blue Zones longevity research with ACLM therapeutic lifestyle medicine expertise. Includes joint Blue Zones Certification Course for physicians and health professionals, and Blue Zones' support as Impact partner for National Training Initiative.
• Blue ShieldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth insurer partnership to advance lifestyle medicine coverage and reimbursement.
• NACHC (National Association of Community Health Centers)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership supporting National Training Initiative for FQHCs and CHCs to train clinicians in lifestyle medicine certification.
• American Medical Association (AMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical association partnership for advancing lifestyle medicine as a recognized medical specialty.
• American Osteopathic Association (AOA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOsteopathic medicine association partnership supporting lifestyle medicine certification and education.
• American Board of Lifestyle Medicine (ABLM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABLM provides physician certification while ACLM certifies health professionals. Joint development of National Training Initiative scholarships for FQHC/CHC clinicians.
• Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner supporting clinicians in underserved communities through lifestyle medicine training and certification programs.
• Health Choice Network (HCN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact partner supporting National Training Initiative for FQHCs and CHCs.
• National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImpact partner for National Training Initiative supporting chronic disease prevention through lifestyle medicine.
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Whole Health InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVA incorporating elements of lifestyle medicine into its Whole Health Initiative, a holistic approach to care supporting health and wellbeing for veterans.
• Department of Defense / Defense Health AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDOD/CEPO has created certified CME program focused on lifestyle and performance medicine for healthcare professionals. DHA supports integration of lifestyle medicine across military health facilities.
• ProactivelycoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership powering the Lifestyle Medicine Certified Clinicians Directory with SEO-optimized profiles, appointment booking, and referral capabilities for certified diplomates.
• American Society for NutritioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-authored joint advisory on GLP-1 therapy for obesity with evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle strategies.
• Obesity Medicine AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-authored joint advisory on GLP-1 therapy for obesity with evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle strategies.
• The Obesity SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-authored joint advisory on GLP-1 therapy for obesity with evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle strategies.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• American Academy of Family Physicians: One of the largest US physician membership organizations (~130,000 members) offering CME, board review, and practice resources. Comparable professional society model but operates in broader primary care rather than lifestyle specialization.
• American College of Physicians: Largest US medical specialty society with similar membership, education, and certification structure, but broader scope across internal medicine rather than a focused lifestyle medicine niche.
• American Heart Association: Major US health association offering lifestyle-focused programs, CPR/first aid certification, and physician education on diet and cardiovascular health. Operates lifestyle certification at much greater scale but with broader mission.

Direct peers

• Obesity Medicine Association: Medical society offering certification in obesity medicine with substantial lifestyle intervention focus; ACLM is an active partner (joint GLP-1 advisory). Directly comparable in obesity-focused lifestyle certification and clinician training.
• National Commission for Health and Wellness Coaching: Certifies health and wellness coaches with a comparable national board-certification model for non-physician health professionals in lifestyle behavior change. Direct peer in lifestyle coaching credentialing infrastructure.
• Society of Behavioral Medicine: Professional association for researchers and clinicians in behavioral medicine with overlapping focus on lifestyle interventions, chronic disease behavior change, and professional training/CE offerings for health professionals.
• American College of Preventive Medicine: Medical specialty society offering board certification in preventive medicine with strong lifestyle and chronic disease prevention focus. Comparable mission to advance preventive and lifestyle interventions among physicians through training and certification.
• Institute for Functional Medicine: Provides certification and continuing education for clinicians in functional medicine, which similarly focuses on root-cause, lifestyle-based interventions for chronic disease. Closely comparable B2P professional training and certification model.

Emerging players

• Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine: Academic integrative medicine fellowship and clinician training program with comparable lifestyle/whole-person medicine focus. Comparable clinician training model but academic fellowship vs broad membership association.
• Wellcoaches: Health and wellness coaching certification organization for healthcare professionals; comparable in credentialing coaches in behavior change, but more focused on coaching practice rather than comprehensive clinical lifestyle medicine.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aclifemed
• Facebookfacebook.com/lifestylemed
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-college-of-lifestyle-medicine
• Instagraminstagram.com/aclifemed

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American College of Lifestyle Medicine